[Devils-list] reading lou
Sykias26@aol.com
Sykias26@aol.com
Sun, 2 Sep 2001 12:04:16 EDT
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Here's another opinion:
Devils training camp preview
By KARA YORIO
Faceoff.com correspondent
PRE-SEASON REPORT CARD
Forwards: B+=A0=A0=A0 They should have the first line of <A HREF=3D"http://w=
ww.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DJason&lname=3DArnott">Jas=
on Arnott</A>, <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp=
?fname=3DPatrik&lname=3DElias">Patrik Elias</A>=20
and <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DPe=
tr&lname=3DSykora">Petr Sykora</A> in camp together from the beginning for t=
he first time since=20
they were put together during the 1998-99 season. But the Devils still must=20
replace <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=
=3DAlexander&lname=3DMogilny">Alexander Mogilny</A>, find someone to match u=
p well with <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fn=
ame=3DScott&lname=3DGomez">Scott Gomez</A> and=20
get something consistent from <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/acti=
on/goplayer.asp?fname=3DTurner&lname=3DStevenson">Turner Stevenson</A>. <A H=
REF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBobby&lnam=
e=3DHolik">Bobby Holik</A> is unhappy and <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/=
scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DRandy&lname=3DMcKay">
Randy McKay</A> and <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplaye=
r.asp?fname=3DSergei&lname=3DNemchinov">Sergei Nemchinov</A> are older.
Defence: C=A0=A0=A0 Basically they traded <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/=
scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DSean&lname=3DO'Donnell">Sean O'Donnell</=
A> for <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=
=3DTommy&lname=3DAlbelin">Tommy Albelin</A> and=20
that's a loss of seven years. The defense is older (having three players who=
=20
are 37), is not very mobile, Colin White proved inconsistent last season and=
=20
the prospects have not come along as originally hoped.
Goalies: A=A0=A0=A0 The Devils still have their franchise goaltender in <A H=
REF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DMartin&lna=
me=3DBrodeur">Martin=20
Brodeur</A>. His backup spot ? good for 10 or 11 games a season ? is open, a=
nd=20
will probably go to J.F. Damphousse.
Coach: A-=A0=A0=A0 <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer=
.asp?fname=3Dlarry&lname=3Drobinson">Larry Robinson</A> must still wonder wh=
at he could have done=20
differently to get his team to play at their best during the Stanley Cup=20
final, but he should be given more credit for getting the group there the wa=
y=20
they were playing.
Front office: C=A0=A0=A0 Many other teams in the<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceof=
f.com/nhl/"> NHL </A>stormed past the Devils during=20
the off-season, acquiring available free agents and making themselves better=
.=20
Lou Lamoriello may have found another diamond in the rough in his draft of=20
Kmin Koming from Sweden but he basically let other teams get better while=20
standing pat on his own. Not to mention that he has lost the loyalty of <A H=
REF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBobby&lnam=
e=3DHolik">Bobby=20
Holik</A>.
Team: B=A0 =A0 If the rest of the league lives up to their potential, this i=
s not=20
going to be an easy season for the team that has been in the Stanley Cup=20
final the last two years. The Devils will have to fight it out for their=20
division and conference this season. The Flyers have gotten much better and=20
are probably the pre-season favorite in the Atlantic Division.
The Penguins are without <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/go=
player.asp?fname=3DJaromir&lname=3DJagr">Jaromir Jagr</A>, but do have <A HR=
EF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3Dmario&lname=
=3Dlemieux">Mario Lemieux</A> and the=20
Islanders will have some talent behind their fight, although it is doubtful=20
they will be battling at the top of the division. Meanwhile Toronto and=20
Washington have also improved in the off-season, making first place in the=20
Eastern Conference up for grabs.
New Jersey did not make any obvious improvements over last season's team.
While that team was good enough to get them to the Stanley Cup final, they=20
also got a little bit lucky and were rewarded with positive matchups, thanks=
=20
to finishing at the top of the Eastern Conference. If they're in the middle=20
of the playoff pack, the fight to the final will be much, much more difficul=
t.
After the Game 7 loss to Colorado in June, general manager Lou Lamoriello=20
talked about establishing more on-ice discipline with this team ? starting,=20
he said, in training camp. What that will mean exactly is unknown at this=20
point, but Lamoriello has been known to squeeze his team tightly and if he's=
=20
trying for more discipline his grip might be too much for this group.
Coach <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=
=3Dlarry&lname=3Drobinson">Larry Robinson</A> will help keep the team balanc=
ed and make sure there's=20
fun along with the new focus on discipline, but after witnessing what he=20
considered multiple mental letdowns during last season's playoffs, Robinson=20
might not be as willing to have such a free and easy team.
And like the rest of the league, the Devils must deal with a fractured focus=
,=20
as many players will be thinking about and playing toward February's Olympic=
s.
After the Olympics, Robinson must reunite his "family," many members of whic=
h=20
will have just spent two weeks disliking each other on the ice and fighting=20
for something they all want. Robinson must find a way to keep those feelings=
=20
from returning from Salt Lake City with his players.
LAST SEASON'S HIGHLIGHT: <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/go=
player.asp?fname=3DPatrik&lname=3DElias">Patrik Elias</A> took his place amo=
ng the<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/nhl/"> NHL'</A>s elite=20
forwards last season and there's no reason why he shouldn't continue at that=
=20
pace this year. He battled with <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/ac=
tion/goplayer.asp?fname=3DAlexander&lname=3DMogilny">Alexander Mogilny</A> a=
t the top of the team's=20
goal-scorers list and together with some fierce playoff performances from <A=
HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBobby&ln=
ame=3DHolik">
Bobby Holik</A> and quality goaltending from <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.c=
om/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DMartin&lname=3DBrodeur">Martin Brodeu=
r</A>, they helped bring=20
the Devils back to the Stanley Cup final.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Once again, the Devils will be in search of a second lin=
e=20
that can score consistently and take some of the pressure off of <A HREF=3D"=
http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DJason&lname=3DArn=
ott">Jason Arnott</A>
's line.
With the loss of <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.a=
sp?fname=3DAlexander&lname=3DMogilny">Alexander Mogilny</A>, the Devils must=
find a scorer besides <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/gopl=
ayer.asp?fname=3DPatrik&lname=3DElias">
Patrik Elias</A> and <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplay=
er.asp?fname=3DPetr&lname=3DSykora">Petr Sykora</A>, someone who can team wi=
th <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DSco=
tt&lname=3DGomez">Scott Gomez</A> and=20
create some offense so it is more difficult for the opposition to match up=20
and shut the Devils down.
Also, they'll need to find consistency in their power play unit which was=20
up-and-down last season and has lost Mogilny, who was key in creating goals=20
when the Devils had the man-advantage.
FORWARDS: Camp may be very interesting for the Devils forwards. <A HREF=3D"h=
ttp://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBobby&lname=3DHoli=
k">Bobby Holik</A>=20
must show early that he is not still bitter about his arbitration hearing.=20
Instead look for Holik to try to prepare himself for a fast start, knowing h=
e=20
is up for the highest bidder at the end of the season. The problem for Holik=
=20
is, when he tries too hard to score, he can't find the net. In training camp=
,=20
he'll have to put together the right attitude for success.
Barring injury, <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.as=
p?fname=3DPatrik&lname=3DElias">Patrik Elias</A>, <A HREF=3D"http://www.face=
off.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DJason&lname=3DArnott">Jason Arno=
tt</A> and <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fna=
me=3DPetr&lname=3DSykora">Petr Sykora</A> will finally get a=20
chance to show what they can do when given a full training camp. If they can=
=20
get their timing down early, they could be near top form when the games begi=
n=20
to count.
<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DRandy&=
lname=3DMcKay">Randy McKay</A> is coming off a broken hand suffered in last=20=
season's Stanley Cup=20
final. McKay re-emerged as a pivotal piece of the puzzle last season when=20
coach <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=
=3Dlarry&lname=3Drobinson">Larry Robinson</A> rested him enough to keep the=20=
veteran healthy and=20
helpful.
Camp will be the time to find someone who can have chemistry with <A HREF=
=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DScott&lname=
=3DGomez">Scott Gomez</A>
. The loss of <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?=
fname=3DAlexander&lname=3DMogilny">Alexander Mogilny</A> and <A HREF=3D"http=
://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBob&lname=3DCorkum">B=
ob Corkum</A> to free agency opens up a=20
couple of roster spots. Look for 2001 draftee Andreas Salomonsson of Sweden=20
to be given every chance to make the team and the group of prospects - <A HR=
EF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DJiri&lname=
=3DBicek">Jiri=20
Bicek</A>, <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fna=
me=3DPierre&lname=3DDagenais">Pierre Dagenais</A>, Stan Gron - once again to=
be given a chance to show=20
they belong.
Christian Berglund, who played in Sweden last season, has a chance with a=20
great showing in camp. Also first-time camp attendee Brian Gionta, who playe=
d=20
for Boston College last season, could make the team with an impressive camp.
It's most likely, however, the Devils will choose to give him time in the<A=20=
HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/ahl/"> AHL=20
</A>with the <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/ahl/teams/riverrats">Albany R=
iver Rats</A>.
DEFENSE: If age and experience truly outdoes youth and exuberance, the Devil=
s=20
are the team with the best defense in the<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/n=
hl/"> NHL.</A> With three players at 37 years=20
old (<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DS=
cott&lname=3DStevens">Scott Stevens</A>, <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/s=
cripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DKen&lname=3DDaneyko">Ken Daneyko</A> and=20=
re-acquired <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fn=
ame=3DTommy&lname=3DAlbelin">Tommy Albelin</A>), Robinson will=20
have a tough task in front of him trying to give his older and proudest=20
players rested enough to make it through the playoffs.
Meanwhile, other teams will likely try to take advantage of a lack of speed=20
on the Devils defense.
Colin White is also a vulnerability unless he learns to control his temper i=
n=20
his third<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/nhl/"> NHL </A>season. <A HREF=
=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBrian&lname=
=3DRafalski">Brian Rafalski</A> and <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/script=
s/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DScott&lname=3DNiedermayer">Scott Niedermayer</=
A> are the Devils=20
best and fastest defensemen.
Rafalski must maintain the offensive confidence he had during the 2001=20
playoffs and Niedermayer must find a way to give a consistent high-level of=20
effort throughout more of the regular season than he normally does.
Against some of the lesser teams, Niedermayer tends to let up. He will be=20
even more essential this year as those around him age and he cannot slack of=
f=20
simply because the opposition is Tampa Bay.
With <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DK=
en&lname=3DSutton">Ken Sutton</A> signing with the Islanders, the spot for t=
he seventh=20
defenseman is open to a young guy who proves he is ready. Expect the top=20
contenders to be Mike Commodore, Sascha Goc and Josef Boumedienne.
GOALIES: The battle is on to be Brodeur's backup. The job looks slated for=20
J.F. Damphousse because the Devils will likely want first-round draft pick=20
(1999) Ari Ahonen getting playing time in Albany. Ahonen played in the=20
Finnish League last season.
With the arrival of Ahonen, Damphousse is expendable to become the guy with=20
one of the toughest jobs in the league - sit for a few weeks then get thrown=
=20
into the net for a game. As always, the Devils' season is pretty much riding=
=20
on Brodeur not getting injured.
The backup job here is not so much to be ready and able to take over but to=20
be decent enough to give the team a chance and for the players in front to=20
have a level of confidence even when Brodeur isn't behind them.
OFF ICE: During the off-season, general manager Lou Lamoriello was given=20
added duties. The YankeeNets, which owns the Devils, put Lamoriello in charg=
e=20
of overseeing the operations of the NBA Nets as well. How he'll have the tim=
e=20
to do both is unknown, but he is more likely to lose sleep than to mishandle=
=20
any hockey responsibilities. Still, it'll be interesting to see if and how h=
e=20
can juggle the duties of both teams.
ONE TO WATCH: Andreas Salomonsson. Selected by the Devils in the fifth round=
=20
and 163rd overall, Salomonsson might be the 2001 draft pick with the best=20
chance to make the team. At 27 (and turning 28 in December), Salomonsson=20
certainly isn't an unproven kid. He has played in his native Sweden for year=
s.
Last season, he had 10 goals, 12 assists and 46 penalty minutes in 48 games.
In the world championships, he had four goals in nine games. The six-foot,=20
185-pounder is a natural center, but that never matters in New Jersey if the=
y=20
need a winger more than a center. Look for Salmonsson to make a <A HREF=3D"h=
ttp://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBrian&lname=3DRafa=
lski">Brian Rafalski
</A>-like impact on the Devils. The numbers might not be awe-inspiring but t=
hey=20
will come from a source no one expected.
Kara Yorio covers the Devils for the Asbury Park Press.
=20
=20
=20
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<HTML><FONT FACE=3Darial,helvetica><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=
=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">Here's another opinion:
<BR>
<BR>Devils training camp preview
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>By KARA YORIO
<BR>Faceoff.com correspondent
<BR><B>PRE-SEASON REPORT CARD</B>
<BR><B>Forwards: B+=A0=A0</B>=A0 They should have the first line of <A HREF=
=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DJason&lname=
=3DArnott">Jason Arnott</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=
=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">, <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.co=
m/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DPatrik&lname=3DElias">Patrik Elias</A>=
</FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT=
" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>and <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=
=3DPetr&lname=3DSykora">Petr Sykora</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=
=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> in camp together from=20=
the beginning for the first time since=20
<BR>they were put together during the 1998-99 season. But the Devils still m=
ust=20
<BR>replace <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fn=
ame=3DAlexander&lname=3DMogilny">Alexander Mogilny</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=
=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">, find=
someone to match up well with <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/act=
ion/goplayer.asp?fname=3DScott&lname=3DGomez">Scott Gomez</A></FONT><FONT C=
OLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> a=
nd=20
<BR>get something consistent from <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/=
action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DTurner&lname=3DStevenson">Turner Stevenson</A></=
FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT"=20=
LANG=3D"0">. <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?f=
name=3DBobby&lname=3DHolik">Bobby Holik</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" S=
IZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> is unhappy and <A H=
REF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DRandy&lnam=
e=3DMcKay">
<BR>Randy McKay</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF"=
FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> and <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scrip=
ts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DSergei&lname=3DNemchinov">Sergei Nemchinov</A=
></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto M=
T" LANG=3D"0"> are older.
<BR><B>Defence: C</B>=A0=A0=A0 Basically they traded <A HREF=3D"http://www.f=
aceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DSean&lname=3DO'Donnell">Sean=20=
O'Donnell</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=
=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> for <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/ac=
tion/goplayer.asp?fname=3DTommy&lname=3DAlbelin">Tommy Albelin</A></FONT><FO=
NT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"=
0"> and=20
<BR>that's a loss of seven years. The defense is older (having three players=
who=20
<BR>are 37), is not very mobile, Colin White proved inconsistent last season=
and=20
<BR>the prospects have not come along as originally hoped.
<BR><B>Goalies: A</B>=A0=A0=A0 The Devils still have their franchise goalten=
der in <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=
=3DMartin&lname=3DBrodeur">Martin=20
<BR>Brodeur</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FAC=
E=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">. His backup spot ? good for 10 or 11 games a se=
ason ? is open, and=20
<BR>will probably go to J.F. Damphousse.
<BR><B>Coach: A-</B>=A0=A0=A0 <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/acti=
on/goplayer.asp?fname=3Dlarry&lname=3Drobinson">Larry Robinson</A></FONT><FO=
NT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"=
0"> must still wonder what he could have done=20
<BR>differently to get his team to play at their best during the Stanley Cup=
=20
<BR>final, but he should be given more credit for getting the group there th=
e way=20
<BR>they were playing.
<BR><B>Front office: C</B>=A0=A0=A0 Many other teams in the<A HREF=3D"http:/=
/www.faceoff.com/nhl/"> NHL </A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAM=
ILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">stormed past the Devils during=20
<BR>the off-season, acquiring available free agents and making themselves be=
tter.=20
<BR>Lou Lamoriello may have found another diamond in the rough in his draft=20=
of=20
<BR>Kmin Koming from Sweden but he basically let other teams get better whil=
e=20
<BR>standing pat on his own. Not to mention that he has lost the loyalty of=20=
<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBobby&=
lname=3DHolik">Bobby=20
<BR>Holik</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=
=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">.
<BR><B>Team: B</B>=A0 =A0 If the rest of the league lives up to their potent=
ial, this is not=20
<BR>going to be an easy season for the team that has been in the Stanley Cup=
=20
<BR>final the last two years. The Devils will have to fight it out for their=
=20
<BR>division and conference this season. The Flyers have gotten much better=20=
and=20
<BR>are probably the pre-season favorite in the Atlantic Division.
<BR>The Penguins are without <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/actio=
n/goplayer.asp?fname=3DJaromir&lname=3DJagr">Jaromir Jagr</A></FONT><FONT C=
OLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">,=20=
but do have <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fn=
ame=3Dmario&lname=3Dlemieux">Mario Lemieux</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000=
" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> and the=20
<BR>Islanders will have some talent behind their fight, although it is doubt=
ful=20
<BR>they will be battling at the top of the division. Meanwhile Toronto and=20
<BR>Washington have also improved in the off-season, making first place in t=
he=20
<BR>Eastern Conference up for grabs.
<BR>New Jersey did not make any obvious improvements over last season's team=
.
<BR>While that team was good enough to get them to the Stanley Cup final, th=
ey=20
<BR>also got a little bit lucky and were rewarded with positive matchups, th=
anks=20
<BR>to finishing at the top of the Eastern Conference. If they're in the mid=
dle=20
<BR>of the playoff pack, the fight to the final will be much, much more diff=
icult.
<BR>After the Game 7 loss to Colorado in June, general manager Lou Lamoriell=
o=20
<BR>talked about establishing more on-ice discipline with this team ? starti=
ng,=20
<BR>he said, in training camp. What that will mean exactly is unknown at thi=
s=20
<BR>point, but Lamoriello has been known to squeeze his team tightly and if=20=
he's=20
<BR>trying for more discipline his grip might be too much for this group.
<BR>Coach <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fnam=
e=3Dlarry&lname=3Drobinson">Larry Robinson</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000=
" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> will help keep t=
he team balanced and make sure there's=20
<BR>fun along with the new focus on discipline, but after witnessing what he=
=20
<BR>considered multiple mental letdowns during last season's playoffs, Robin=
son=20
<BR>might not be as willing to have such a free and easy team.
<BR>And like the rest of the league, the Devils must deal with a fractured f=
ocus,=20
<BR>as many players will be thinking about and playing toward February's Oly=
mpics.
<BR>After the Olympics, Robinson must reunite his "family," many members of=20=
which=20
<BR>will have just spent two weeks disliking each other on the ice and fight=
ing=20
<BR>for something they all want. Robinson must find a way to keep those feel=
ings=20
<BR>from returning from Salt Lake City with his players.
<BR><B>LAST SEASON'S HIGHLIGHT</B>: <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/script=
s/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DPatrik&lname=3DElias">Patrik Elias</A></FONT><=
FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=
=3D"0"> took his place among the<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/nhl/"> NHL=
'</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calis=
to MT" LANG=3D"0">s elite=20
<BR>forwards last season and there's no reason why he shouldn't continue at=20=
that=20
<BR>pace this year. He battled with <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/script=
s/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DAlexander&lname=3DMogilny">Alexander Mogilny</=
A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto=20=
MT" LANG=3D"0"> at the top of the team's=20
<BR>goal-scorers list and together with some fierce playoff performances fro=
m <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBobb=
y&lname=3DHolik">
<BR>Bobby Holik</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF"=
FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> and quality goaltending from <A HREF=3D"htt=
p://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DMartin&lname=3DBrode=
ur">Martin Brodeur</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SER=
IF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">, they helped bring=20
<BR>the Devils back to the Stanley Cup final.
<BR><B>UNDER CONSTRUCTION</B>: Once again, the Devils will be in search of a=
second line=20
<BR>that can score consistently and take some of the pressure off of <A HREF=
=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DJason&lname=
=3DArnott">Jason Arnott</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=
=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">
<BR>'s line.
<BR>With the loss of <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplay=
er.asp?fname=3DAlexander&lname=3DMogilny">Alexander Mogilny</A></FONT><FONT=20=
COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">=
, the Devils must find a scorer besides <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/sc=
ripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DPatrik&lname=3DElias">
<BR>Patrik Elias</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF=
" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> and <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scri=
pts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DPetr&lname=3DSykora">Petr Sykora</A></FONT><=
FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=
=3D"0">, someone who can team with <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts=
/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DScott&lname=3DGomez">Scott Gomez</A></FONT><FON=
T COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0=
"> and=20
<BR>create some offense so it is more difficult for the opposition to match=20=
up=20
<BR>and shut the Devils down.
<BR>Also, they'll need to find consistency in their power play unit which wa=
s=20
<BR>up-and-down last season and has lost Mogilny, who was key in creating go=
als=20
<BR>when the Devils had the man-advantage.
<BR><B>FORWARDS</B>: Camp may be very interesting for the Devils forwards. <=
A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBobby&l=
name=3DHolik">Bobby Holik</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=
=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">=20
<BR>must show early that he is not still bitter about his arbitration hearin=
g.=20
<BR>Instead look for Holik to try to prepare himself for a fast start, knowi=
ng he=20
<BR>is up for the highest bidder at the end of the season. The problem for H=
olik=20
<BR>is, when he tries too hard to score, he can't find the net. In training=20=
camp,=20
<BR>he'll have to put together the right attitude for success.
<BR>Barring injury, <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplaye=
r.asp?fname=3DPatrik&lname=3DElias">Patrik Elias</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#=
ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">, <A HREF=
=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DJason&lname=
=3DArnott">Jason Arnott</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=
=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> and <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff=
.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DPetr&lname=3DSykora">Petr Sykora</A=
></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto M=
T" LANG=3D"0"> will finally get a=20
<BR>chance to show what they can do when given a full training camp. If they=
can=20
<BR>get their timing down early, they could be near top form when the games=20=
begin=20
<BR>to count.
<BR><A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DRa=
ndy&lname=3DMcKay">Randy McKay</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 F=
AMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> is coming off a broken hand=20=
suffered in last season's Stanley Cup=20
<BR>final. McKay re-emerged as a pivotal piece of the puzzle last season whe=
n=20
<BR>coach <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fnam=
e=3Dlarry&lname=3Drobinson">Larry Robinson</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000=
" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> rested him enoug=
h to keep the veteran healthy and=20
<BR>helpful.
<BR>Camp will be the time to find someone who can have chemistry with <A HRE=
F=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DScott&lname=
=3DGomez">Scott Gomez</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"=
SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">
<BR>. The loss of <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.=
asp?fname=3DAlexander&lname=3DMogilny">Alexander Mogilny</A></FONT><FONT CO=
LOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> an=
d <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBob&=
lname=3DCorkum">Bob Corkum</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMIL=
Y=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> to free agency opens up a=20
<BR>couple of roster spots. Look for 2001 draftee Andreas Salomonsson of Swe=
den=20
<BR>to be given every chance to make the team and the group of prospects - <=
A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DJiri&ln=
ame=3DBicek">Jiri=20
<BR>Bicek</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=
=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">, <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/actio=
n/goplayer.asp?fname=3DPierre&lname=3DDagenais">Pierre Dagenais</A></FONT><F=
ONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=
=3D"0">, Stan Gron - once again to be given a chance to show=20
<BR>they belong.
<BR>Christian Berglund, who played in Sweden last season, has a chance with=20=
a=20
<BR>great showing in camp. Also first-time camp attendee Brian Gionta, who p=
layed=20
<BR>for Boston College last season, could make the team with an impressive c=
amp.
<BR>It's most likely, however, the Devils will choose to give him time in th=
e<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/ahl/"> AHL=20
<BR></A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Ca=
listo MT" LANG=3D"0">with the <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/ahl/teams/ri=
verrats">Albany River Rats</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMIL=
Y=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">.
<BR><B>DEFENSE</B>: If age and experience truly outdoes youth and exuberance=
, the Devils=20
<BR>are the team with the best defense in the<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.c=
om/nhl/"> NHL.</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF"=20=
FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> With three players at 37 years=20
<BR>old (<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=
=3DScott&lname=3DStevens">Scott Stevens</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" S=
IZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">, <A HREF=3D"http://=
www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DKen&lname=3DDaneyko">Ken=
Daneyko</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=
=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> and re-acquired <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.co=
m/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DTommy&lname=3DAlbelin">Tommy Albelin</=
A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto=20=
MT" LANG=3D"0">), Robinson will=20
<BR>have a tough task in front of him trying to give his older and proudest=20
<BR>players rested enough to make it through the playoffs.
<BR>Meanwhile, other teams will likely try to take advantage of a lack of sp=
eed=20
<BR>on the Devils defense.
<BR>Colin White is also a vulnerability unless he learns to control his temp=
er in=20
<BR>his third<A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/nhl/"> NHL </A></FONT><FONT =20=
COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0">s=
eason. <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=
=3DBrian&lname=3DRafalski">Brian Rafalski</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000"=
SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> and <A HREF=3D"ht=
tp://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DScott&lname=3DNiede=
rmayer">Scott Niedermayer</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=
=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> are the Devils=20
<BR>best and fastest defensemen.
<BR>Rafalski must maintain the offensive confidence he had during the 2001=20
<BR>playoffs and Niedermayer must find a way to give a consistent high-level=
of=20
<BR>effort throughout more of the regular season than he normally does.
<BR>Against some of the lesser teams, Niedermayer tends to let up. He will b=
e=20
<BR>even more essential this year as those around him age and he cannot slac=
k off=20
<BR>simply because the opposition is Tampa Bay.
<BR>With <A HREF=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=
=3DKen&lname=3DSutton">Ken Sutton</A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=
=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Calisto MT" LANG=3D"0"> signing with the Islan=
ders, the spot for the seventh=20
<BR>defenseman is open to a young guy who proves he is ready. Expect the top=
=20
<BR>contenders to be Mike Commodore, Sascha Goc and Josef Boumedienne.
<BR><B>GOALIES</B>: The battle is on to be Brodeur's backup. The job looks s=
lated for=20
<BR>J.F. Damphousse because the Devils will likely want first-round draft pi=
ck=20
<BR>(1999) Ari Ahonen getting playing time in Albany. Ahonen played in the=20
<BR>Finnish League last season.
<BR>With the arrival of Ahonen, Damphousse is expendable to become the guy w=
ith=20
<BR>one of the toughest jobs in the league - sit for a few weeks then get th=
rown=20
<BR>into the net for a game. As always, the Devils' season is pretty much ri=
ding=20
<BR>on Brodeur not getting injured.
<BR>The backup job here is not so much to be ready and able to take over but=
to=20
<BR>be decent enough to give the team a chance and for the players in front=20=
to=20
<BR>have a level of confidence even when Brodeur isn't behind them.
<BR><B>OFF ICE</B>: During the off-season, general manager Lou Lamoriello wa=
s given=20
<BR>added duties. The YankeeNets, which owns the Devils, put Lamoriello in c=
harge=20
<BR>of overseeing the operations of the NBA Nets as well. How he'll have the=
time=20
<BR>to do both is unknown, but he is more likely to lose sleep than to misha=
ndle=20
<BR>any hockey responsibilities. Still, it'll be interesting to see if and h=
ow he=20
<BR>can juggle the duties of both teams.
<BR><B>ONE TO WATCH</B>: Andreas Salomonsson. Selected by the Devils in the=20=
fifth round=20
<BR>and 163rd overall, Salomonsson might be the 2001 draft pick with the bes=
t=20
<BR>chance to make the team. At 27 (and turning 28 in December), Salomonsson=
=20
<BR>certainly isn't an unproven kid. He has played in his native Sweden for=20=
years.
<BR>Last season, he had 10 goals, 12 assists and 46 penalty minutes in 48 ga=
mes.
<BR>In the world championships, he had four goals in nine games. The six-foo=
t,=20
<BR>185-pounder is a natural center, but that never matters in New Jersey if=
they=20
<BR>need a winger more than a center. Look for Salmonsson to make a <A HREF=
=3D"http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/action/goplayer.asp?fname=3DBrian&lname=
=3DRafalski">Brian Rafalski
<BR></A></FONT><FONT COLOR=3D"#ff0000" SIZE=3D2 FAMILY=3D"SERIF" FACE=3D"Ca=
listo MT" LANG=3D"0">-like impact on the Devils. The numbers might not be aw=
e-inspiring but they=20
<BR>will come from a source no one expected.
<BR>Kara Yorio covers the Devils for the Asbury Park Press.
<BR>
<BR>
<BR> =20
<BR> =20
<BR> =20
<BR></FONT></HTML>
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